All about blood pressure measurements
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the amount of pressure exerted on our vessels when our heart beats. Its unit of measurement is mmHg or millimetres of mercury.
Why are there 2 readings of blood pressure?
Systolic blood pressure
The first reading - systolic blood pressure is the amount of pressure when our heart contracts. This is the higher reading displayed.
Diastolic blood pressure
The second reading - diastolic blood pressure is the amount of pressure when our heart relaxes
A typical reading will look like this 140/90 mmHg.
This would mean 140 is the systolic pressure and 90 is the diastolic pressure.
What are the normal values of blood pressure?
It is important to note that these values are taken when the participant is sitting quietly in a relaxed state. Blood pressure will rise temporarily with exercise, stress, fear, pain or exposure to extreme temperature and this would be perfectly normal.
Why are my BP readings always higher when I take it at the doctor’s clinic vs taken at home?
White coat syndrome is a syndrome whereby BP readings are higher when taken in the clinic or by a healthcare professional whereas its normal when taken at home. Some studies show that it affects 15-30% of adults. It is important to record your readings at home to show your doctor if not you may be misdiagnosed as having hypertension and put on medication unnecessarily.
Is it important to measure my blood pressure regularly?
Yes, if you have hypertension or above 60. It is important to measure and record the readings so that trends can be monitored. If your blood pressure is very high, exercise may be contraindicated so it would be important to measure blood pressure before exercises.
Probably not, if you are healthy (last BP measurement <120/80), not diagnosed with hypertension and are young ( <40 years of age). Hypertension risk usually increases with age which increases coronary artery disease risks.
Where can I buy a BP machine?
These days, BP machines are not hard to find. You may purchase them from pharmacies and online platforms. They may cost as little as <$50 SGD or upwards of $200SGD to cater to different budgets.
How can I improve my blood pressure other than with medications?
Basically, everything we have been advocating as part of a healthy body will improve your blood pressure as well. The list includes stress management, having a healthy diet and sufficient exercises, and sleeping well. You may track your blood pressure as you embark on each new healthy habit and watch your blood pressure improve. If you need help starting your journey to better health, do not hesitate to contact us!
References
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings
